York Ebor Meeting-Day 1

1.55 Class 2 Handicap (5F)

Couldn't be a trickier opener for punters with twenty going to post and any amount of them with chances. Dandy Nicholls had been amongst the winners in the past week or so, and he ran a cracker here to finish fifth in this race behind Bogart back in 2013 off 96, three pounds higher than today's mark. He showed clear signs of returning to form last time out at Glorious Goodwood, and with Franny Norton booked he could be set for a bold show. Can be backed at 16/1 and he is well worth an each way interest at that price.
At an ever bigger price Richard Fahey's Arctic Feeling could also run a big race, and he has now dropped to a pound below his last winning mark. Jack Garrity takes off anther handy 3lbs, and having signalled that a return to form was imminent on his last run at Doncaster he may well outrun his odds of 33/1 over a course and distance that he has won at before.

Stevos' Selections: Barnet Fair (16/1) Arctic Feeling (33/1).

2.30 Acomb Stakes (Group 3) 7F

An open looking little race, with no horse currently priced lower than 5/1. The each way selection is Dream Mover for Marco Botti and Neil Callan. Callan waxed lyrical about this colt's ability after winning on him last time out at Nottingham, and he has seemingly delayed his return to the Far East in order to ride him again today. He is bred to appreciate the step up to 7F and he is a tentative selection in a tricky looking heat.

Stevos' Selection: Dream Mover (14/1) e/w.

3,05 Voltigeur Stakes  (Group 2)

See in depth preview below.


3.40 Juddmonte International Stakes (Group 1)

You can see my in depth preview completed earlier this week at Bettingtools


4.20 (Class 2 Handicap) 16F

Noble Silk is the one I like here. Stamina is his forte, with his last win coming over this trip at Haydock. He ran a cracker behind Clondaw Warrior in the 20F handicap at the Royal Meeting, and off the same mark today surely he has to go close. Has yet to prduce his best form at York, but has only had one go here, in this race in 2013, and he was badly out of form at the time. He could be worth giving another chance to, and he can be backed at 12/1.

Stevos' Selection: Noble Silk  12/1 e/w.

4.50 (2yo Handicap) 6F

Not a race to be having the mortgage on, with twenty going to post in what will be an absolute battle charge. The selection is Kassia, who is well bred and who wasn't suited by the soft going last time out. She is better judged on her good run in 5th behind Acapulco in the Group 2 Queen Mary at Royal Ascot when she shaped as though 6F would be right up her street. Mick Channon has been hitting form in recent days too, and Kassia could make hay off what could turn out to be a very generous looking mark of 85.

Stevos' Selection: Kassia (16/1) e/w.